Council alters free parking signs before decision on charges is made

Market Rasen car park sign EMN-160613-140219001

Published:07:31Updated:08:41Thursday 16 June 2016

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A plan to introduce ‘pay and display’ parking in Market Rasen has been delayed while the district council considers a 2,600-signature petition - but the move comes as the town’s ‘free parking’ signs are covered up by the authority.

West Lindsey District Council’s prosperous communities committee has deferred a decision on a proposal to charge for car parking in Market Rasen.

Councillors said more time was needed to consider a 2,633-signature petition calling for the council to scrap the plan.

The council will consider the petition on July 4 before making a decision on July 19.

But despite this delay, WLDC officers have already instructed county council highways workers to cover any ‘free parking’ signs.

Market Rasen Mayor John Matthews, who has previously spoken out against the proposed charges, said: “What are WLDC up to? Even before the discussion whether or not to implement charges in our town has come to committee, officers of the district council are doing their own thing.

“The signs at the entrance to the Festival Hall car park used to display ‘free’ above the vehicle logo.

“Somebody has issued an instruction to have stickers made and then instructed another to put them on the signs to cover up the ‘free’!”

WLDC wants to charge people to park in the town’s John Street, Festival Hall and Kilnwell Road car parks, saying the scheme will generate additional income and increase the turnover of car parking spaces.

The petition against the charges was set up by local businessman Adrian Campbell who believes the council needs to do more research before bringing in pay and display.

Mr Campbell has described the latest developments as ‘slap in the face for democracy’.

But WLDC insists free parking will not be scrapped until councillors have voted on the proposal - and that